MANILA, Philippines — Jeff Goldblum wishes that Will Smith's "Independence Day" character, Col. Steven Hiller, did not die and was part of the film's sequel "Independence Day: Resurgence."

"I wish my character, David Levinson, we became best friends. I wish he hadn't died," Goldblum said.

The website for the film called "The War of 1996" explained what happened to Smith's character.

On its April 27, 2007 log, it said: “While test piloting the ESD’s first alien hybrid fighter, an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col. Hiller. Hiller’s valor in the War of 96 made him a beloved global icon whose selfless assault against the alien mothership lead directly to the enemy’s defeat. He is survived by his wife Jasmine and son Dylan.”